Wednesday, August 23, 2017
99th year • Issue 1
THE INDEPENDENT
Camp Adventure brings smiles to children / 5 »
COLLEGIAN
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Serving the University of Toledo community since 1919
INSIDE
PROTEST
Rocket volleyball splits wins in first exhibition match
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SPORTS / 6 »
“Our new year is just about to begin, and it’s time to make some wishes and resolutions before the clock strikes midnight. We’ve all made some personal ones, but here is our list of hopes for UT in 2017-18.”
BRYCE BUYAKIE / IC
(Left) Toledoans gathered at the University of Toledo to protest racism and white supremacy after Charlottesville Riots. (Right) Callie Staton, a fourth-year law and social thought student, holds up her sign while marching with the protestors.
Toledo ‘stands up’
Citizens march in solidarity after Charlottesville Riots By Bryce Buyakie News Editor
In the wake of the Charlottesville riots, 250 protestors from all corners of the Toledo community marched in solidarity with Virginia Aug. 20 from the steps of the Student Union at the University of Toledo to the corner of Dorr St. and Secor. Leading the march and yelling chants such as “Dump Trump!”
and “Don’t just stand there, do something!” into a megaphone were three of the event’s organizers: Mike Miller, Kristyn CurnowMiller and Ruth Leonard, a member of Toledo’s Black Lives Matter organization. “This march was for everyone, not just students,” said Mike Miller, a second-year UT student and organizer of the event. “We all know that James Alex Jr. is not
representative of the Toledo community. I didn’t want a black eye on the community, so I wanted to give the community a chance to show the country he doesn’t represent Toledo.” The march and rally were held in direct response to Charlottesville, Neo-Nazis, racism, white supremacy and the KKK, but it was also meant to give people of color the space to express themselves,
PARKING
UT campuses rank among the safest in Ohio By Bryce Buyakie News Editor
OPINION / 4 »
RACHEL NEARHOOF / IC
Parking lots such as Lot 10, pictured above, on the University of Toledo’s campus serve a variety of students, faculty, administrators and visitors to UT.
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SPORTS / 6 »
“And, yet, I fail at feminism all the time because I somehow can’t figure out how to be consistently kind to the woman I know best: myself.”
MORGAN KOVACS The self-love stigma
OPINION / 4 »
See Rally / 3 »
SAFETY
EDITORIAL Time for the ball drop
Rockets celebrate Victory Day
Miller said. Julian Mack, a member of Black Lives Matter and an organizer of the event, said he was reading the Declaration of Independence off his phone during the march. “It’s ironic,” said Mack. “[The writers of the document] were under tyranny. They wanted life, liberty and the pursuit of hap-
Changes for staff and student parking begin for 2017-18 By Bryce Buyakie News Editor
A new parking system went live at the University of Toledo on Aug. 5, changing the design of Parking Services’ webpage, modifying permits and the respective rates for faculty and students. This will also allow for the newly created UT Parking app to launch in the near future. “These modifications will move the university toward a more equitable parking system for students, faculty and staff,” wrote Sherri Kaspar, public safety support manager for parking services, in an email interview. The new system was implemented after information was gathered from faculty, staff and students in a transportation survey conducted in December 2016, wrote Kaspar. According to the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Parking Services website, student permits and rates covered by collective bargaining agreements remain the same, but rates have increased for faculty and staff.
“A” permits for faculty and staff increased by $47 to $150 annually. “E/G” permits for executives and physicians increased from $150 to $225, while “E-reserved” permits for executives went from $300 to $400 annually. However, the freshman residential permits for Scott Park and Lot 21 were lowered from $125 to $100 per semester, wrote Kaspar. The FAQ page states students and faculty will also be required to print the parking permit confirmation and display it on the dashboard whenever parking on UT
“These modifications will move the university toward a more equitable parking system for students, faculty and staff.” SHERRI KASPAR Parking Services Public Safety Support Manager
property. “We are also pleased to announce that the UT Parking App will go live on Monday, Aug. 28, in time for the start of the new academic year,” wrote Kaspar. “This new app will provide students, faculty and staff with more convenience.” From the app and website, students and faculty will be able to store information about different vehicles and easily choose which vehicle the permit applies to for that period of time, wrote Kaspar. Fourth-year mechanical engineering student Nai-Ning Kuo said the parking system is an improvement because the new webpage is easier to navigate. “Many people switch registered vehicles while they are on or close to campus. They are not likely to have access to a printer. This may result in several registered vehicles without the printed permit,” said Kuo. “The confirmation permit is decently large to display on the dashboard, but a hang tag may be a better approach.”
The Sexual Assault Awareness, Prevention and Adjudication Ad Hoc Task Force released an executive summary showing the University of Toledo’s campuses to be amongst the safest campuses in the state of Ohio with low reports of rape, fondling, statutory rape, domestic violence and stalking. The summary also ranked UT above average compared to other state universities for student confidence in campus officials to follow formal procedures to address complaints of sexual misconduct, and student confidence in officials to take the necessary steps to protect the person from retaliation. “These finds confirm UT is doing an excellent job in the prevention of sexual misconduct,” wrote Amy Thompson, co-chair of the SAAPA Ad Hoc Task Force, in an email interview. “Our findings also have helped develop a framework for continuous improvement.” The SAAPA Ad Hoc Task Force was created this past spring by UT President Sharon Gaber to analyze campus programs, policies, education and prevention of sexual misconduct at UT and compare those results with other institutions, wrote Thompson. “Our task force was a representative group from experts in the area of sexual misconduct. Their input guided the development of the documents,” wrote Thompson. The executive summary outlined four themes that showcased both UT’s strengths and weaknesses – comprehensive university-
wide efforts, prevention and programming efforts, resource availability and investigation and adjudication.
“These finds confirm UT is doing an excellent job in the prevention of sexual misconduct. Our findings also have helped develop a framework for continuous improvement.”
Amy Thompson SAAPA Ad Hoc Task Force Co-Chair
A total of 27 recommendations were compiled for each theme in the executive summary to improve and build upon existing programs and policies at UT. “There were several recommendations that our task force have prioritized, such as forming a Title IX committee to implement the recommendations, diversifying our programs and to explore strengthening our alcohol and other drug programs,” wrote Thompson. The task force also found UT to be very heavy on primary programming during orientation but needs to focus on more evidencebased programing for all students throughout the year, wrote Valerie Walston, co-chair of the SAAPA Ad Hoc Task Force. Other recommendations listed in the executive summary ranged from the See Task Force / 3 »
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It’s your senior year; what is going to be your favorite “last time”?
“Getting lost in UHall.”
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“Changing my UTAD password.” Emily Schnipke
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The Independent Collegian Staff Visit us at Carlson Library, Suite 1057 Write to us at 2801 W. Bancroft St., Mail Stop 530 Toledo, OH 43606 EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Emily Schnipke Managing Editor Emily Jackson News Bryce Buyakie, editor Sports Sam Williams, editor Jackson Rogers, assoc. editor Community Areeba Shah, editor Opinion Jessica Harker, editor
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Administration
Governor Kasich appoints two new trustee members By Bryce Buyakie News Editor
Two new University of Toledo Board of Trustee members were appointed to the board by Ohio Governor John Kasich in July to fill the seats left vacant by former UT Board of Trustees Richard McQuade, Carroll Ashely and Gary Thieman. Chief Executive Officer and President of the automotive supplier Martinrea International Inc. F. Patrick D’Eramo will serve on the board until July 1, 2021, and
F. Patrick D’Eramo Board of Trustee Member
Financial Adviser for Wilcox Financial Patrick Kenny
will serve a full nine-year term until July 1, 2026. “We are excited to have Patrick and Pat [D’Eramo] join the board, and we look forward to working with them in the years to come,” wrote Steve Cavanaugh, chair of the UT Board of Trustees. “They are both strong leaders who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the board.” D’Eramo worked for Toyota and Dana, and plans to use his experience to improve the cost and quality of the university to
“I’d like to see the cost of education go down for students. College costs are expensive and leave too many with too much debt when they graduate. It’s not sustainable, and I’d like to think I can help.” Patrick D’Eramo Board of Trustee Member
Task force from page 1
duties of the Title IX committee to protocols and the implementation programs, such as bystander training. “The safety of our students is a top priority. Every report of sexual misconduct is taken seriously, and we have zero tolerance for any type of abuse,” wrote Gaber in a statement to the UT community. “I look forward to working with the
campus to implement the recommendations of the task force to ensure UT
continues to be a safe and welcoming environment.”
“The safety of our students is a top priority. Every report of sexual misconduct is taken seriously, and we have zero tolerance for any type of abuse. I look forward to working the campus to implement he recommendaions...” Sharon Gaber University of Toledo President
PUZZLES
Check back next week for the solutions to these puzzles!
the final customer – the student, wrote D’Eramo in an email interview. “I’d like to see the cost of education go down for students. College costs are expensive and leave too many with too much debt when they graduate,” wrote D’Eramo. “It’s not sustainable, and I’d like to think I can help.” Having worked in accounting and investment advising for 30 years, Kenny said his past experiences on UT’s Board of Endowment and in businesses such as Wilcox Financial will help the university manage costs, especially when state funding is down. “Because of my time on the Endowment Board, I have a better understanding of the University’s funding,” Kenny said. “I want to con-
improving research, enrollment and the Rocket brand. We also want to be more involved with the community.”
Patrick Kenny Board of Trustee Member
tinue practicing financial accountability.” Both Kenny and D’Eramo have a passion for UT, and they are committed to helping the University achieve its full potential, wrote Cavanaugh. “There is an immense amount of positive energy coming out from UT,” Kenny said. “We will be
“There is an immense amount of positive energy coming out from UT. We will be improving research, enrollment and the Rocket brand. We also want to be more involved with the community.” Patrick Kenny Board of Trustee Member
Rally
from page 1
piness. They wanted to be free, and we want to be free today…the Declaration of Independence hasn’t applied to so many people in what we call the United States of America.” After the march, Mack and Leonard led the open mic where protestors spoke at length about the ability to express oneself, what people must do to enact change and why it is important for everyone to stand against racism. “What more is it going to take for us not to just stand there. Not just tweet about it. Not just condemn it and say it’s wrong, but to actually fucking do something,” said Mack. “If you can write, then write. If you can sing, then sing. Use your talents.” Chris Goudos, a 2011 UT graduate and history teacher, said the Confederate statues need to come down because they put Jim Crow on a pedestal and they do not commemorate the men who died for the Confederacy. “I don’t see statues of George Washington in Great Britain. Do you know why? They were traitors to the state who broke out in open rebellion,” said one speaker. “Why should they memorialize traitors?” In response to the events in Charlottesville, Miller said everyone has the right to assemble and to say whatever they want, including the white supremacists and the KKK, but no one has the right to threaten people’s lives.
THEME: FAMOUS DUOS ACROSS 1. Pocket bread, pl. 6. Mele Kalikimaka wreath 9. Hoofbeat 13. Not dead 14. Freddy Krueger’s street 15. Sacagawea to Lewis and Clark 16. Wrinkle-prone fabric 17. Rap sheet abbreviation 18. Tanks and such 19. *Spongebob’s pal 21. *Sullivan’s theatrical partner 23. Fa, ____, la, ti, doh 24. Daniel Defoe’s ____ Flanders 25. Swindle 28. Ready for picking 30. Right before “camera” 35. Fish eggs, pl. 37. Straight whiskey, e.g. 39. Capital of Egypt 40. Grand Theft object 41. Per ____, or yearly 43. Hidden valley 44. *Bonnie and Clyde, partners in this 46. Australian palm 47. Distinctive elegance 48. One’s net worth 50. Companion of Pinta and Santa Maria 52. Slovenly abode 53. Use a noose 55. Any doctrine 57. *Rogers’ tapping partner 61. Mohammed, alt. sp.
Bryce Buyakie / IC
Ruth Leonard, Toledo Black Lives Matter member, leads rallies the protesters before opening up the mic to speakers.
“Martin Luther King Jr. said that ‘Riot is the language of the oppressed,’ said Miller. “I think we
need to stand up against that oppression.”
“What more is it going to take for us not to just stand there. Not just tweet about it. Not just condemn it and say it’s wrong, but to actually fucking do something. If you can write, then write. If you can sing, then sing. Use your talents.” Julian Mack Event Organizer
65. Having three dimensions 66. Chapter in history 68. Jeweler’s glass 69. Moves closer 70. Brownish gray horse 71. Ruhr’s industrial center 72. Does something wrong 73. Japanese capital 74. Affirmatives DOWN 1. Explore with one’s hand 2. Pelvic parts 3. Typically on limo window 4. Affirms 5. Junior’s predecessor 6. Plumbing problem 7. Member of the Benevolent Order 8. Idealized image 9. “____ Your Enthusiasm” 10. Tart garnish 11. Smell 12. Chipper 15. Pertaining to Gaul 20. People’s Republic 22. Down with the flu 24. ____ of life 25. *Will’s roommate 26. Predecessor to “truly” in a letter 27. Petite, masculine 29. *____ and Teller 31. Measuring instrument 32. Higher ground, pl. 33. Yummy reward 34. *Cher’s “I Got You Babe” partner
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| The Independent Collegian | Wednesday, August 23, 2017
OPINION Send letters to the editor to Editor@independentcollegian.com
EDITORIAL BOARD
Bryce Buyakie Emily Schnipke
Jessica Harker Areeba Shah
Emily Jackson Sam Williams
Editorials appearing on this page represent the consensus view of the editorial staff. Columns and letters to the editor reflect the opinions of their authors, not those of The Independent Collegian.
EDITORIAL
Time for the ball drop
Can you smell it in the air? It’s crisp air, excitement, anxiety and probably a little sweat if we’re being honest. The drums are beating across campus (by the marching band) and keys are jingling (around the necks of freshmen). It’s time for a new school year at the University of Toledo, and we are just as ecstatic as the rest of you to see what it holds. For us, the new year doesn’t begin on Jan. 1 when the ball drops. It starts on Aug. 28 with our very first class of the day. Our new year is just about to begin, and it’s time to make some wishes and resolutions before the clock strikes midnight. We’ve all made some personal ones, but here is our list of hopes for UT in 2017-18. 1. An updated curriculum: We want to see an attempt to update the curriculum to provide a fuller historical context to all majors. This new curriculum would include the historical context of women, people of color and other marginalized peoples. Choosing to leave out the history of these groups only affirms their marginalization. They deserve to be talked about and recognized and studied just as much as European history. 2. More pride in academic accomplishments: TOL – EDO! Sports are a huge point of pride at the University of Toledo, especially with football season right around the corner. But we believe that the university should start caring more about the education of its students than its athletics. Closing parking lots on weekdays for football and basketball games just so we can have ESPN coverage isn’t valid reasoning to most of the student body. Students already deal with a huge lack of parking in the first place without more lots having to be closed. Limited parking on game days disrupts students’ routines on days when exams are being taken that can affect academic careers. Sports shouldn’t be so important that academic achievement is being sacrificed. 3. Free expression of ideas without violence: Freedom of speech is incredibly important, especially on a college campus
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where there are so many different perspectives, viewpoints and beliefs. Campus should be a safe space to share these beliefs. President Sharon Gaber says there is no place for violence on UT’s campus, and we couldn’t agree more. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom of violence. In these divisive times, we hope that UT continues to be a community that champions inclusiveness and diversity. 4. Improvements to Rocket Solution Central: Rocket Solution Central is supposed to be UT’s go-to problem solver, but, in our experience, it’s rare for students to receive effective and efficient help there. Long lines, incorrect solutions, and games of phone-tag are reasons why students try to seek help anywhere else first. Other departmental and administrative offices around campus sometimes send you to RSC when they don’t have an answer. More often than not, it’s not the correct place to go to. We want to see RSC workers, both student and regular, be able to serve students better. Waiting in a physical line or one on a telephone is a pain to everybody. Maybe an online chat service for students to talk with RSC workers about simple questions could reduce the amount of people heading to their office. 5. More resources for commuter students: Eightyone percent of the UT student population lives off campus. That means around 14,580 students commute to campus for class every day. Yet, it seems like there is not much focus on commuters. Save for an event or two each semester and the Commuter Student Lounge in the Student Union, Commuter Student Services doesn’t do much for the commuter population. This year, we would like to see more attention and resources provided to commuter students. More microwaves, plastic silverware and refrigerators for students around campus. Not everyone enjoys eating their lunch in the Student Union. Those who pack face difficulty finding microwaves anywhere, especially in engineering buildings. We like the idea of more commuter lounges provided around campus, even within specific departments: a place to relax, maybe with a TV, for those late-night classes away from the main hubbub of campus. There is so much more we can imagine to improve our campus. More bike racks, a new parking lot and free tuition for all are pipe dreams we have. Some may come true, others may not. Changes are being made around campus for the good and the not-sogood (Phoenicia stays, physical parking permits), and we’re happy the administration is taking student ideas into consideration. So, tell us, what are your hopes and dreams for UT? Tweet at us your ideas, send us a Facebook message or even stop by our office. Tell us your hopes for UT.
www.IndependentCollegian.com OPINION
The self-love stigma
Madeleine Albright coined, “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support each other,” and it’s the feminist mantra I strive to live by. I try hard to be especially kind to women. I do my best not to entertain rumors. I feel ashamed when I think something hurtful or I pass judgment too quickly, promising myself to be better the following day. And, yet, I fail at feminism all the time because I somehow can’t figure out how to be consistently kind to the woman I know best: myself. I am my toughest critic, through and through. Even those times I flounder and mindlessly think cruelly of others, I’m aware that those thoughts stem from my own insecurities. I have a hard time accepting compliments at face value, and some days I can’t even smile at my own reflection. This certainly isn’t the case every day, however. Typically, I wake up and spend my time loving myself exactly I as am. But some days that’s particularly hard to do because this sudden and painfully confusing realization occurs to me: no one is supposed to know that I actually love myself. It would make me less attractive mentally and physically. At least, that’s what I have been taught, and if you take a second to consider it, you,
MORGAN KOVACS IC COLUMNIST
maybe even unknowingly, believe that too. Think, how many songs suggest what makes women beautiful is their unwillingness to believe so? How many celebrities get “dragged” for knowing they’re attractive? How come when I receive compliments, my reflex is to roll my eyes and deny them? Why do I feel a pang of guilt for being cocky when I acknowledge that I am smart and I am driven and I am fit and a thousand other totally fab things? Because I am. I feel as though I am being pulled in two very different directions: I am shallow when I am in love with myself but miserable if I don’t love and celebrate who I have spent 21 years becoming. Don’t get me wrong, humility is an incredibly admirable trait, but not at the expense of self-love. There is an immense difference between being humble and
undervaluing yourself. As I continued to peruse this topic of stigmatized self-love, I felt more confused than when I had started; is it more important for others to love me, or for me to love myself ? Is the answer to love myself, but not to promote it? Then I had my epiphany: the question is complete and utter nonsense. I don’t need to sacrifice one for the other. I can love myself and express that love without my likability decreasing. They are not negatively correlated.
and beautiful. When we hang out with friends and family, instead of dissing ourselves in a desperate search for validation only to reject compliments, we should start talking about the things we love about ourselves and influence others to do the same. I don’t want to sit with my friends and have to spend half of our time together convincing them that they are funny, smart, pretty, accomplished, etc. I want them to see that already, and if they do see that already, then I want
I am my toughest critic, through and through. Even those times I flounder and mindlessly think cruelly of others, I’m aware that those thoughts stem from my own insecurities. I have a hard time accepting compliments at face value, and some days I can’t even smile at my own reflection. To break that idea that self-love and likability are mutually exclusive, I believe we should encourage confidence in each other. And, for the love of God, if people already have that confidence, we should never try to squander it, but let it flourish. When you post that fire Insta photo, fight the urge to include a self-deprecating caption. It’s perfectly OK to post a photo because you feel confident
them to express it! So, the next time I wake up faced with the choice of whether I want to be loved by others or unabashedly love myself, I’m going to bravely choose both. Then, I’ll add “audacious” to the list of things I adore about myself. So, in conclusion, turn on some “Pretty Girl Rock” by Keri Hilson for some serious self-love inspiration and get out there and shamelessly love yourself.
OPINION
Where’s the respect for human life?
JESSICA HARKER OPINION EDITOR
There is no remedy for the loss of a human life, especially one that was taken too soon, and unexpectedly. This is a hard lesson, one that not all of us must experience, and one that will stick with anyone who does for the entirety of their lives. This is a lesson I recently had to learn, with the sudden passing of a friend of mine. Though we weren’t that close, having only known her because she was the best friend of one of my roommates, the shock was still something I never expected to feel. She was just here the other day, she was only 19, and the world simply couldn’t be that unfair. Yet it was. For anyone who has never attended the open casket funeral of someone so young, I don’t recommend it. My pain in this situation was nothing compared to that of my roommate, who suddenly lost one of her best friends, and nothing compared to the suffering her family must be feeling during this time. Thinking about all of this as I walked through the line to her casket that stretched out the door, and took over two hours to get through, was almost unbearable. So, the other day, when the events in Charlottesville came out on the news and I learned of the death of Heather Heyer,
a 32-year-old woman who was protesting peacefully against the white supremacist rally, the same thoughts came rushing back. Not only was this woman’s life taken too early and too suddenly, but her death was a caused by hatred. What must her mother be thinking and feeling? I don’t think anyone who is not in that position could ever understand. When various news outlets began to break more indepth pieces about Heather and the kind of person she was, I couldn’t help but feel a strong connection with her. She was described as strong and outspoken, and many of her friends who were interviewed described her as dying while fighting for what she believed in.
strongly in, I couldn’t help but think of my own mother, and how if something like this would happen to me, a very similar speech would come from her. It’s chilling. The more I thought, the more the problem seems to be that as a county we have simply lost our perception of the value of human life. There is no ideology, no material possession, nor any land or thought or feeling that could ever justify the taking of a human life. Especially one that has not even begun. This issue goes beyond party lines, and beyond even national borders. This is an issue of humankind. During a press conference on Aug. 11, President Donald Trump stated that military action on mul-
The more I thought, the more the problem seems to be that as a county we have simply lost our perception of the value of human life. There is no ideology, no material possession, nor any land or thought or feeling that could ever justify the taking of a human life. Especially one that has not even begun. During a memorial service, Heather’s mother gave a powerful speech in which she denounced the people who attempted to silence her daughter. “They tried to kill my child, to shut her up. Well, guess what? You just magnified her,” Susan Bro, Heather’s mother, said. “I’d rather have my child, but, by golly, if I got to give her up, we’re going to make it count.” Watching the video of this mother broken by the loss of her child, putting out a call to action for something her daughter believed so
tiple fronts is an increasing possibility. These fronts included North Korea, Venezuela and a continued fight in Afghanistan. While Trump condemned the war in Afghanistan for being the longest American war, which he deemed “unacceptable,” he also expressed a continued possibility of military action for North Korea. He did, however, refuse to directly answer the question as to whether war was a possibility, stating, “I think you know the answer to that.” When asked if he had
anything he wanted to say to the people of the United States who are worried over his back-and-forth rhetoric with the North Koreans, the president responded simply with “hopefully, it’ll all work out.” Not only that, but an unprompted Trump declared that, when it comes to Venezuela, which is “a mess,” the U.S. has many options, including a military option, and listing no other alternatives. I strongly believe that in the name of saving human lives, such as with the escalating threat of nuclear terror against Guam, military action should be taken. But only to save human life, not to end it. The threat of war, made as a not very well thought-out threat, a side comment by someone who currently has so much political power, is truly terrifying. Not for me as a Democrat, a feminist or even as an American, but for me as a human being. Because with just a few words, so much death can occur because this man can back them up. When the weight of things you say is so heavy, it is dangerous to use them so flippantly. How many mothers are going to be broken by the loss of their children if the president decides that Venezuela isn’t complying enough with our desires? I think that war is a dangerous and painful necessity. But one that should be used with the utmost caution and only as a last resort. And when we make the choice, as to whether to go to war or invade or attack a nation, the only question we should consider is, “how does this protect human life?” Any other motivation is nothing compared to that, and can never justify the cause of thousands of weeping mothers who know they will never be able to see their children again.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017 | The Independent Collegian |
COMMUNITY Follow us on Twitter @ICollegian
CALENDAR
Friday, Aug. 25 8 – 11 p.m.
Foam Party
Bring your friends to this annual party to dance and get covered in sudsy foam. The party will take place in the Flatlands and is sponsored by Campus Activities and programming. Saturday, Aug. 26 9 p.m. Bonfire Take part in one of UT’s oldest and biggest traditions: painting the spirit rock. Come to the Flatlands hungry; there’s free pizza. WXUT and Blue Crew will bring the entertainment. Sunday, Aug. 27 4 p.m. New Student Convocation & BBQ Welcome, first-timers! Gather with your new friends and classmates in the Glass Bowl to listen to president Gaber talk about what it means to be a Rocket. Rain location will be in Savage Arena. The BBQ will begin directly afterwards at 5 p.m. in the Flatlands. Sunday, Aug. 27 5 - 7 p.m. Jam Session & Multicultural Student Organization Fair
Learn about some of the university’s multicultural student organizations and support offices on the steps of the Thompson Student Union and watch a step show by members of the UT Greek community.
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SUMMER CAMP
Camp Adventure brings smiles to children By Areeba Shah Community Editor
“We create magic moments for children that last for a life time.” This is the motto of Camp Adventure, a youth services program that works with military families by providing daycare services on military bases and U.S. embassies across the world, according to third-year University of Toledo English literature major Teresa Northcraft. “We are a vibrant and enthusiastic organization housed at the University of Northern Iowa, but Toledo is a strong branch of the program,” Northcraft said. Lead trainer and UT Dean of Students Sammy Spann brought the program to the University of Toledo in 2003. Being one of 13 training sites in the nation, Spann is proud of all the work UT students are doing. Spann mentioned that this nonprofit organization helps students develop their leadership skills while assisting military kids who feel isolated. Their activities serve as a form of entertainment for these kids whose families have to move from country to country. “In other words, we’re kind of like a mobile Walt Disney,” Spann said. Northcraft shared the group recruits during the fall semester, trains during the spring semester and ships out for the summer. Spann added that, by the end of their training, students from all training sites know over 120 different songs, games and arts and crafts.
The ten-week program’s airfare and housing charges are covered by the Department of Defense, which also provides a meal stipend for each member. Other expenses such as Red Cross certifications, a uniform fee, health insurance and optional tuition for the University of Northern Iowa are the responsibility of students, Northcraft said. Northcraft, who joined Camp Adventure as a freshman, works as a day camp counselor. Her team of counselors create fun and exciting plans at the daycare center they are assigned, she said. She works for forty hours for five days of the week. The other two days are open for students to explore the country with their fellow counselors, Northcraft said. “It’s a challenging job, but this has, hands down, been the best experience of my life-- and part of the reason I chose to attend the University of Toledo,” Northcraft said. “The kids and families I have met are willing to lay down their lives for our country; I feel like it’s an honor to serve them back.” Spann has also traveled with Camp Adventure as a student to a total of 63 countries. This opportunity has provided him with a perspective of America from the outside, he said. “It was life changing; it was life focusing,” Spann shared. He added that this chance allows students to live their resume as they are given the responsibility of running summer camp programs on military bases around the world. Students can meet people and
remain friends with them for the rest of their lives. Spann mentioned his favorite thing about Camp Adventure is the strong bond college students build with the children. On the last days, students even cry as a form of accomplishment and development. “Getting involved and getting yourself out there to get experience and exposure is the very first and most key step to success,” Spann said. The organization offers a variety of services on a network of U.S. military bases and embassies, Northcraft said. It is divided into subcategories, including the child development center for infants and preschoolers, day camp for school aged children, teen camp and aquatics, which involves lifeguarding and swimming classes. During her first summer, Northcraft visited Okinawa, an island often referred to as the “Hawaii of Japan.” There, she spent her weekends scuba diving, snorkeling, climbing waterfalls and trying sushi. Northcraft’s most recent trip to Stuttgart, Germany this summer allowed her to visit Munich, Prague, Paris, Salzburg, Budapest and Interlaken. She advises freshmen that this is an opportunity of a lifetime. “Camp has literally made my dreams come true, and I’m not just being selfish about it either,” said Northcraft. “I’m fulfilling my dreams while helping other people.” Students interested in joining Camp Adventure can visit its office located in the Student Union, Room 2521A.
COURTESY OF TERESA NORTHCRAFT
Teresa Northcraft, pictured above, spent her summer with Camp Adventure in Germany.
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Maumee marches against white supremacy By Emily Jackson
Maumee Public Library to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Citizens of Maumee to show solidarity for the and the surrounding residents of Charlottesarea rallied together last ville, Virginia. week to protest white The march was just supremacy just two days a few miles from the after an attack in Charlot- residence of James Alex tesville, Virginia by James Fields Jr. Alex Fields Jr. Fields, 20, Veralucia Mendoza, has been charged with one of the event orgasecond-degree murder nizers, said that their in Virginia for allegmarch was a “collective edly driving his car into a response to a killer comcrowd of counter-protest- ing to national light from ers Aug. 10 at a white naour hometown.” tionalist rally, killing one “We are saddened by and injuring 19 others. his actions, shaken by the Between 350 and 400 Nazis and KKK finding demonstrators marched a platform for hatred,” Aug. 12 at 8 p.m. from the Mendoza said. “We are the Finish reading this piece online at www.IndependentCollegian.com Managing Editor
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FOOTBALL
Rockets celebrate Victory Day
SAM WILLIAMS / IC
(Left) The Rockets football team celebrates a touchdown scored by a participant in the Victory Day event. (Right) A Victory Day participant looks on as spectators cheer on his touchdown, aided by the University of Toledo football team. By Jackson Rogers Staff Reporter
On Aug. 19, the University of Toledo football program hosted its fourth annual “Victory Day.” Victory Day is an event for special needs students from Toledo-area schools at the Glass Bowl, where participants met UT football players, ran drills and heard their names announced over the loudspeaker as they scored a touchdown, just like the UT players do on game days. Victory Day is a chance for special needs students to have their time to shine on the
football field. Each student was paired up with a Rocket football player who served as their mentor for the event. The students wore UT team jerseys and were presented with medals as keepsakes to celebrate their victory. Toledo football players, cheerleaders, Rocky the Rocket and marching band members cheered on the Victory Day athletes throughout the event. “It certainly is a fun day for our players and for the kids in the community,” said UT football head coach Jason Candle. “We get to share a meaning-
ful experience with these kids. Our players really love to do it. We’re in the middle of preseason camp, and sometimes players can start to feel a little sorry for themselves — they’re in pain
“Just being with these kids and making their day a little bit better is awesome.” CODY THOMPSON Rockets Wide Receiver
or their legs hurt. But this is an eye-opening experience. Our players are blessed to have their opportunities. This is a great reminder of that and a great way to give something back to the community.” Aaron Segedi, a teacher and football coach from Trenton, Michigan, started Victory Day in 2010. Segedi is a cancer survivor whose life was saved thanks to a liver donation from his sister, Rhonda. Over time, the Victory Day event has been picked up by high schools and universities in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and
Indiana. The first Victory Day for Toledo was in 2014. “Just being with these kids and making their day a little bit better is awesome,” said fourth-year wide receiver Cody Thompson. “It’s always good to give back and put a smile on someone’s face.” The Toledo Rockets will start their 2017 season against the University of Elon on August 31 at 7 p.m. The game will open the Glass Bowl for the first time this season, as the game coincides with the first week of classes.
VOLLEYBALL
Rocket volleyball splits wins in first exhbition match
RACHEL NEARHOOF / IC
Carly Townsend sets Rachel Vidourek for a spike in a match last year in Savage Arena. Vidourek combined with Saige Thomas for seven kills in the first set. By Sam Williams Sports Editor
In its first and only exhibition match of the season, the University of Toledo volleyball squad split wins with its Oakland University opponents. The matches ended by scores of 25-22 UT, 20-25 Oakland, 25-17 UT and 20-25 Oakland. Fourth-year University of Toledo outside hitter Saige Thomas posted impressive stats for the Rockets, earning a double-double with 18 kills and 11 digs, along with a .436 hitting percentage.
Carly Townsend, a thirdyear setter for the Rockets, recorded a team-high 29 assists. Third-year libero Maurissa Leonard was also impressive in this series for the midnight blue and gold with 15 digs. UT won the first set 2522, holding Oakland to an abysmal .062 hitting percentage and forcing 11 errors. Fourth-year hitter Rachel Vidourek combined with Thomas for seven of 11 kills in the opening set. Thomas earned half of her 18 kills in the third set,
where Toledo won 25-17. UT posted a .394 hitting percentage and 15 kills in the third set. Oakland took the final set by a score of 20-25 in a team effort, with three players earning at least three kills. UT will begin its 2017 regular season on Friday, Aug. 25 at the Fort Wayne Invitational where they will face off against SIU Edwardsville. On the following Saturday, Aug. 26, the Rockets will take on Quinnipiac University at 10 a.m. and then host Fort Wayne at 7 p.m.